Heath plant named `Happy II`

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of heath plant named Erica persoluta `Happy II`, a seedling of unknown pollen and seed parentage, discovered in a field of Erica persoluta `Sunset`, which is distinguished from Erica persoluta `Happy` and all other varieties known to me by its ease of propagation, its resistance to root diseases, and the color of its flower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of the Ericaceaefamily, named Erica persoluta `Happy II` by the assignee of theinvention. This new and heather variety was discovered by the inventoras a seedling of unknown pollen and seed parentage growing in acultivated field of Erica persoluta `Sunset` U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,336.The new variety possesses the naturally compact growth habit of Ericapersoluta `Sunset`, but was noticed because of its early and prolongedflowering habit. In this respect it is very similar to the patentedplant variety Erica persoluta `Happy`--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,650; BrunoImazio, inventor; Bay City Flower Co., Inc. assignee.

The new variety is particularly suitable for potted plant culturebecause of the ease and speed with which cuttings take root and itsresistance to root diseases.

The distinguishing characteristics of the new variety whichdifferentiate it from Erica persoluta `Happy` and other varieties knownto me are:

1. ease of propagation,

2. resistance to root diseases, and,

3. color of the flower.

    ______________________________________                                        Characteristic                                                                            `Happy`      `Happy II`                                           ______________________________________                                        Ease of Propagation                                                                       Average      Above Average                                        Disease Resistance                                                                        Good         Very good; resistant to                                                       the root diseases                                                             Pythium and                                                                   Rhizoctonia.                                         Bloom Color R.H.S. 78 B-78 C                                                                           R.H.S. 72 B                                          ______________________________________                                    

Since the inventor's discovery of the new variety several years ago, ina commercial nursery in the Sunset Beach area of Watsonville, Calif.,the assignee, under the direction and control of the inventor at acommercial nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif., has asexually reproducedthe new cultivar through successive generations by means of cuttings andhas found that its distinguishing characteristics remain true fromgeneration to generation and appear to be firmly fixed. Thosecharacteristics are: ease of propagation, disease resistance and bloomcolor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical potted plant form, including the inflorescence and foliage. Thecolors are represented as truly as possible using conventionalphotographic procedures.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new varietyillustrating the overall form and appearance of the plant in full bloom.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph of a potted plant of the new variety justprior to the blooms opening.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of the open blooms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the new variety with colordesignations made according to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.)Colour Chart, published in London, England. The following description isbased on observations of optimally fertilized plants in 4" pots. Theplants are 14 months of age from initial propagation and were grownoutside under saran in a commercial nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif.,where the average day and night temperatures are 65 degrees F. and 55degrees F. respectively in the summer and 55 degrees F. and 45 degreesF. respectively in the winter.

The Plant

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Unknown.

Pollen parent.--Unknown.

Classification:

Botanic.--Erica persoluta `Happy II.`

Commercial.13 Happy II.

Form: Perennial, compact woody shrub.

Shape: Upright growth habit.

Height: 25.40 cm to 30.48 cm with an average of 26.04 cm for 14 monthplants in 10 cm pots.

Girth: Circumference of 14 month plants in 10 cm pots is 48.26 cm to55.88 cm.

Diameter: Actual and average diameter of 9".

Branching: Good with minimal pruning.

Growth: Naturally compact; stems become woody with age; stems strong andflexible.

Foliage: Abundant, plant covered with small needle-like leaves.

Size of leaf.--4 mm Long by 1 mm wide.

Shape of leaf.--Acerose like, convexed.

Character.--Sulcate.

Color.--R.H.S. 144 A.

Texture.--Smooth.

Hardiness: Can tolerate temperatures from 28 to 100 degrees F.

The Bud

Size: Fully developed.

Length.--3 mm.

width.--2 mm.

Diameter.--2 mm.

Color: R.H.S. 27 C.

Rate of opening: Rapid, commencing at the base of the inflorescence andprogressing continuously to the tip.

Petals: Corroline flowers with inconspicuous sepals; R.H.S. 71 A.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Annually, early October through December.

Size of bloom: 4 mm long by 2 mm wide.

Flowering habit: Primarily in axiallary verticils and on short branchesfrom the rachis, forming a vertical spike-like, paniculate raceme. Shortbranches terminate in single cluster from 1 to 6 or more flowers.

Shape: Urceolate.

Appearance: Santiny.

Flower color: R.H.S. 72 B.

Peduncle: The length of the peduncle will vary depending upon theorientation of the branch and the light penetration into the plant.Measurements of the peduncle ranged from 0.5 cm to 3.0 cm. Distance ismeasured to the first branch encountered that has flowers.

Pedicel: 2 mm.

Branch length: Usually 1.0 cm at bottom of infloresence and becomingprogresively shorter travelling up the rachis.

Rachis:

Color.--Woody portion of rachis is R.H.S. 165 A; new growth is R.H.S. 60A.

Strength.--Woody to supple; flexible.

Persistence: Blooms do not shed easily, remain long after the plantceases to draw water.

Fragrance: Faint.

The outstanding economic and aesthetic characteristics of this newvariety which distinguish it from other commercial varieties such asErica persoluta `Heidi` and `Happy` are: flower color, resistance toroot diseases and ease of asexual propagation.

    ______________________________________                                        `HEIDI`         `HAPPY`      `HAPPY II`                                       ______________________________________                                        The                                                                           Plant                                                                         Height A 4" pot will                                                                              A 4" pot will                                                                              A 4" pot will                                       produce a plant                                                                            produce a plant                                                                            produce a plant                                     8" to 9"     13" to 15" high                                                                            10" to 12" high                                     high in 18   in 16 months with                                                                          in 16 months                                        months with little                                                                         minimal pruning.                                                                           with minimal                                        or no pruning.            pruning.                                     Form   Short, dense Same         Same                                                appearing,                                                                    compact woody                                                                 shrub.                                                                 Shape  Upright, stems                                                                             Upright, stems                                                                             Same                                                curving slightly to                                                                        curving slightly to                                              accommodate the                                                                            accommodate the                                                  fullness of the                                                                            fullness of the                                                  plant.       plant.                                                    Branch-                                                                              Naturally    Ample, minimal                                                                             Same                                         ing    generous, minimal                                                                          prunings (1-2)                                                   or no pruning                                                                              necessary to                                                     needed.      encourage                                                                     branching.                                                Growth Upright but  Same         Same                                                naturally short                                                               and branching                                                                 with woody                                                                    flexible strength.                                                     Blooming                                                                             Annual, mid Jan.                                                                           Annual, early                                                                              Annual, early                                Season to mid Feb.  Oct. to mid. Jan.                                                                          Oct. to the                                                                   end of Dec.                                  Ease of                                                                              Average      Average      Above average                                Propaga-                                                                      tion                                                                          Disease                                                                              Average      Good         Very good.                                   Resist-                          Resistant to the                             ance                             root diseases                                                                 Pythium and                                                                   Rhizoctonia.                                 Foliage                                                                       Color  R.H.S. 143 A R.H.S. 144 A R.H.S. 144 A                                 Size   3 mm         Same         4 mm long,                                                                    1 mm wide                                    Shape  Spike-like with                                                                            Same         Same                                                stiff erect stems                                                             and acerose                                                                   leaves                                                                 Quantity                                                                             Abundant     Same         Same                                         Bloom                                                                         Size   3 mm × 1.5 mm                                                                        3 mm × 2.5 mm                                                                        4 mm × 2 mm                            Borne  In clusters with                                                                           Same         Same                                                terminal buds.                                                         Shape  Urceolate    Same         Same                                         Color  R.H.S. 71C-71D                                                                             R.H.S 78B-78C                                                                              R.H.S. 72 B                                  Rate of                                                                              Rapid, pro-  Same         Same                                         Opening                                                                              gressive and                                                                  continuous                                                                    beginning at base                                                             of stem and                                                                   progressing to tip.                                                    ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct hybrid plant variety of the Heath family substantially as herein shown and described. 